An air leak . . . makes a sweet little sound.

Another good day

Crew is tolerating his new ventilator and so far hasn't had to have his breathing tube changed out.  He has a very large air leak around the tube and it squeaks really loud when he's positioned just right.  I'll attempt to post a video next . . .  I hope it works.  Poor guy had to get another  I.V. line today . . . in order to receive some clotting factor (Cryo).    He is still peeing very well, and now is receiving enemas every 8 hours too. He's pooping a little with each one.  I posted a "poopy face" photo below.  His mom and dad are participating in his diaper changes and mouth swabs every 4 hours and loving it.  He's getting more and more expressive every day.

A new conventional ventilator . . . the Avea

Daddy is brushing Crew's teeth (swabbing his mouth)

Crew's little "poopy" face

Almost a smile . . . he's still receiving lots of pain medication, so that's about as far as those eyes will open.

A Few of Crew's visitors

Grandma Schow

Dalynn

Aunt "Neenee"

Aunt Michelle and Aunt Amy

Day 8

Had a little excitement last night.  The IV line that runs through his umbilicus (belly button) broke.  The nurses had to put an IV in his scalp to allow the fluids and drips to continue running while the nurse practitioner placed a PICC line.  PICC line stands for P-peripherally I-inserted C-central C-catheter.  Basically, it is a central line that sits just below his heart in a large vessel (inferior vena cava) and can stay there for several weeks to months.  They were planning to put the line in sometime this week, just hoped it would have been under better circumstances.  

Crew's weight is down to 5 pounds 2 ounces today . . . he lost another 5 ounces.  He's looking so much better.  He's still really swollen from his chest down to his thighs.  The chest tubes are still draining, the right more than the left.  They switched his ventilators this morning.  He is now on the Avea.  This is a conventional ventilator that breathes more naturally, around 35 breaths per minute.  So far, he is handling this ventilator very well.  He may need to get his ETT (breathing tube) replaced with a larger tube, we'll have to wait and see.  The Nitric Oxide has officially been turned off.  

Yesterday Terrel's family came from Rupert to visit.  It was an especially great treat to see grandma Edith.

One Week Old

Tonight at 5:22pm, Crew will officially be one week old.  It's hard to believe we've been at this for a week already.  He's making great improvements daily, but the doctors are being extremely cautious with every step they take.  They're going to try to wean his Morphine drip again today.  The Jet ventilator  settings are being weaned as well.  I think they will turn the Nitric off today sometime.  The chest tubes are still draining, so they aren't going anywhere.  He had his first poop after the enema last night . . . whoop whoop!  He's still peeing well.  The doctors have slowed the amount of fluid they are giving him in order to control his fluid loss and electrolyte balance.  He's still not being fed any breast milk.  But, he's getting intravenous nutrition and fats through a constant drip.  We really don't want to see weight gain until he's lost all this extra fluid.  Daddy got to give him a kiss last night too.  Aunt Neen just wasn't there to capture it on film . . . I think they got an iphone picture.

Aunt Emily made Crew a banner with his name on it.

His first poop.  I know its kind of weird to post this, but I'm a nurse and I think its awesome stuff.

His chest x-ray yesterday morning.  Looks great.  You can see the chest tubes on both sides.

A good day

Mommy got to kiss her little boy for the first time today.  He was so cute . . .  his little foot went in the air and he splayed his toes.  I don't know who enjoyed it more . . . his mommy or him.

Poor little guy is trying to wake up.  He's still on a Morphine drip, so it's hard for him to open those eyes.

Overall, it's been a great day.  Crew continues to pee like a race horse.  He can't make it through a diaper change without peeing on everything.  His FiO2 (oxygen he's getting) is down to 35% today.   Those darn chest tubes keep putting out fluid, but like I said earlier . . . it's better out than in.  He still hasn't pooped . . . a big deal in the NICU,  so tonight he'll get his first enema.  He's waking up more with cares, and tries to open his little eyes.  They are going to slowly start weaning his Morphine drip to allow him to wake up a bit more.   It's a fine balance between good pain control and too much sedation.   His dad got to hold him today.  Well, at least lift him in the air while they changed his linens (he pee'd all over them). We couldn't ask for better progress.  Thank you all for your continued prayers.

Day 6

Crew lost 5 ounces last night . . . that has got to feel a tiny bit better.  He's back down to 5 pounds 11 ounces.  He got as high as 6 pounds 1 ounce . . . yowchie!   His heart rate remains in a normal sinus rhythm.  He's still on a pain medication drip, but they are not giving him as much sedation so he is waking up and moving around more.  He is still peeing very well, and even showed off a bit for his dad and mom last night when they were changing him, by peeing out of the diaper.  One of his chest tubes has slipped a little out of good position.  The doctors are just going to keep an eye on it for now.  Hopefully he won't even need it anymore and they can pull it. They are weaning the vent settings slowly as he progresses, but he is still on the Jet. The prayers are working.